Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Save Mount Diablo launches Advisory Council

By Leave a Comment

Wildflowers in the Panoche Valley and Hills, southern Diablo Range. Photo: Scott Hein

10-member, all-volunteer Council will further land conservation mission

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

WALNUT CREEK, CA—Save Mount Diablo has created an Advisory Council to help further our organization’s land conservation mission for Mount Diablo and the mountain range it is a part of and sustained by, the Diablo Range.

Save Mount Diablo’s all-volunteer Advisory Council consists of distinguished individuals who are willing to contribute their expertise, guidance, connections, and support to further the organization’s mission.

The organization’s Board of Directors and staff will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the Advisory Council members. Advisors will also act as ambassadors for Save Mount Diablo helping the organization positively connect with strategic peoples and communities.

There are multiple reasons why Save Mount Diablo created its Advisory Council. It gives the organization a way to honor and recognize individuals for their distinguished service to Save Mount Diablo.

It provides a way to involve people who are willing to give critical assistance but have limited time. It provides a way of involving people who would be good candidates for the Board of Directors, but who are unable, or may not be ready, to serve in that role right now.

It provides a way to keep important supporters closely connected to the organization. It creates a direct link to important professional and technical expertise. It elevates and empowers selected people to serve as ambassadors for the organization.

It is a way to assist in efforts to increase philanthropic support. It enlists various types of needed help from the Advisors and their networks.

The basic structure of Save Mount Diablo’s Advisory Council is as follows. The organization’s Board Governance and Nominating Committee reviews and recommends appropriate Advisory Council candidates to the Board of Directors for approval.

Advisors must be elected by the Board of Directors. Advisory Council members advise and assist the organization largely on an as-needed basis. The Advisory Council will be invited to meet at least once annually, typically as part of a Board of Directors meeting or event.

Organizational communications with the Advisory Council, as a group or individually, will typically come from the Executive Director or Board President. The Advisory Council has no governing function within the organization.

The Board of Directors will determine term lengths, if any, the total number of members for the Advisory Council, and other related details.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors approved creating an Advisory Council at their January 2025 annual Strategic Plan retreat.

After that, Save Mount Diablo’s Board Governance and Nominating Committee worked on creating a list of talented people to invite to be part of the inaugural class of the Advisory Council.

This inaugural class for our Advisory Council, which was approved by the Board of Directors at their October 1, 2025, meeting, consists of the following people:

Stewart Beatty

Stewart Beatty is the Head Chef at Postino, where he specializes in creating farm-to-table dishes that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A lifelong resident of the Mount Diablo area and current Clayton resident, Stewart has a deep connection to the region and its community. He generously shares his culinary talents by providing meals for Save Mount Diablo’s Four Days Diablo and summit dinners, bringing people together to celebrate and support local land conservation efforts.

Joseph Belli

Joseph Belli has been a dedicated Save Mount Diablo donor since 2021 and is a conservation biologist and author, widely recognized as one of California’s leading experts on the Diablo Range.

His deep knowledge and passion for the region have made him an invaluable contributor to Save Mount Diablo’s mission. Joseph has participated in our BioBlitz events and Mary Bowerman Science and Research program, and served as the opening speaker for our first annual Diablo Range Convening in June 2025. In July 2025, he was also featured as a speaker for Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director Speaker Series, sharing his insights on the unique ecology and conservation challenges of the Diablo Range.

Tom Dowd

Tom has a passion for helping organizations and individuals and transforming people’s lives. He was the founder and CEO of a chemical distribution company (Dowd and Guild, Inc.); he serves on the John Muir Health Foundation Board of Directors as well as on the Advisory Board of Heritage Bank of Commerce. Tom founded Keiretsu Forum Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raised $1 million for more than 100 charities. After selling Dowd and Guild, Inc., Tom has shifted to full-time charitable work.

Robert E. Doyle        

Robert E. Doyle, General Manager Emeritus, East Bay Regional Park District, worked for 47 years as a park professional at the East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland, California. Bob was a founding Board member of Save Mount Diablo, working with California State Parks to expand one of the original “Olmsted State Parks.” He was also a founding Board member of the East Bay Conservation Corps. Bob currently serves as Board member and Advocacy Co-Chair of the Washington, DC–based City Parks Alliance. He has served as a Board member for the National Association of Olmsted Parks and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, where he was awarded the prestigious Cornelius Pugsley Medal. In 2024, Bob joined the San Francisco–based Save the Redwoods League Board of Councilors. Bob has received a Save Mount Diablo Mountain Star award for his good work.

Peter Frazier

Peter Frazier, a retired investment professional, has been a Save Mount Diablo supporter for over 40 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to land conservation and environmental education. As a dedicated contributor, Peter helps support programs that inspire and educate future generations about the importance of protecting the Diablo Range and its natural resources. Peter has also helped make possible other important projects for Save Mount Diablo, like the organization’s 50th anniversary oral history project with the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley.

John Kiefer

John Kiefer is a retired systems applications specialist at Pacific Bell, inventor of the Kiefer Sustainable Chicken Coop, and a longtime supporter of Save Mount Diablo since 1975! He has remained deeply involved through leadership, advocacy, and community building. He is especially supportive of Save Mount Diablo’s environmental education programs and efforts to connect more people to nature and each other. Over the years, John has led hikes on Mount Diablo and has supported Save Mount Diablo in many ways, from hosting events at his home to funding community breakfasts and other events. His passion for trails and open space led to his service on the Lafayette Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission (1986–1994), where he worked hands-on to maintain trails, collaborated with landowners to create public access, and later served as the city’s field representative for trails. In recognition of his contributions, the John Kiefer Trail was dedicated in his honor in 2014.

Beverly Lane

Beverly Lane has been a dedicated Save Mount Diablo supporter since 1988 and is a respected local historian, published author, and curator of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. She helped found the Contra Costa History Alliance and the Tri-Valley History Council, fostering the preservation of regional history. Beverly served as Mayor of Danville and represented central Contra Costa County as a Director for the East Bay Regional Park District from 1994 to 2022. She is also an active member of the Anza Trail Foundation, which promotes the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, and Friends of San Ramon Creek, reflecting her lifelong commitment to conservation, history, and community.

Doug McConnell

Doug McConnell is a long-time Save Mount Diablo supporter and renowned television host and storyteller with a passion for exploring and protecting the natural world. He hosted NBC Bay Area’s OpenRoad with Doug McConnell beginning in 2009 and served as host and editor of the beloved series Bay Area Backroads from 1993 to 2008. Doug is the founder of Convergence Media Productions, creating content that highlights conservation and outdoor adventure. In addition to his media work, he serves as an Advisory Board member for San Francisco Baykeeper, advocating for the protection and preservation of the Bay Area’s natural resources. Doug has received a Save Mount Diablo Mountain Star Award for this good work.

Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone is the CEO of Diamond Construction and co-founder of Enkasa Homes, bringing extensive expertise in environmentally sensitive building and development to his work. A dedicated supporter of land conservation, Jeff served as a Save Mount Diablo Board member (2016–2025). He continues to contribute his leadership, expertise, and passion to support Save Mount Diablo’s land conservation work.

Jeanne Thomas

Jeanne Thomas has been a Save Mount Diablo donor since 1989 and is a proud member of the Diablo Legacy Circle. A retired employee of Kaiser Industries, Jeanne has been a steadfast supporter of Save Mount Diablo for decades, serving on the Development Committee from 2006 to 2014. She has played a vital role in supporting events, acting as a liaison to the Rossmoor retirement community, and was honored with the Mountain Star Award for her dedication. An avid nature enthusiast, Jeanne has spent countless hours hiking Mount Diablo and photographing its wildflowers, reflecting her deep love for the land she helps protect.

We are very grateful that this talented and special group of people answered the call to serve on Save Mount Diablo’s Advisory Council!

With the creation of our Advisory Council, made up of such terrific people, Save Mount Diablo has successfully and strategically expanded our team to help further our land conservation work for Mount Diablo and its Diablo Range.

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo has been preserving lands on and around Mount Diablo and educating the public to the mountain’s natural values since 1971. We are biologists, conservationists, hikers, bikers, equestrians, bird watchers, and people who just love to look at the mountain. Save Mount Diablo is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID 94-2681735). For more information visit savemountdiablo.org.

10th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Oakley Oct. 11

By Leave a Comment

To support suicide prevention

By Veiongo (Vei) Uesi, Walk Chair, Oakley Chapter & Board Member, Greater SF Bay Area Chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Oakley, taking place this Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. This year’s event is especially meaningful, not only because it marks a decade of our community standing together for suicide prevention, but also because we are honored to welcome a special guest: the Mayor of Oakley, Shannon Shaw, who will join us in showing support for this vital cause.

Sponsored by the Oakley Chapter of the American Foundation Suicide for Prevention (AFSP), the Out of the Darkness Walk is more than just a fundraiser, it’s a deeply moving event that brings together survivors, advocates, and families who have lost loved ones, creating a space for healing, connection, and hope. With mental health challenges and suicide affecting so many, particularly in recent years, this walk serves as a beacon to let people know they are not alone and that help is always available.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Location: Civic Center Park, 3221 Main Street, Oakley
Time: 8:00 AM check-in, opening ceremony begins at 9:00 AM, and walk begins at 9:30 AM

Special Offerings:

  • Morning refreshments including light snacks, coffee, and water
  • Honor Bead ceremony
  • Memorial garden

Our goal is to bring the Contra Costa community together and join more than 400 communities nationwide to raise awareness, reduce the stigma around mental health and raise crucial funds for AFSP to support research, education, advocacy, survivor support and strongly send the message that suicide can be prevented, and no one is alone.

For more information visit ttps://afsp.org.

Country music stars help raise funds for Concord organization’s affordable housing efforts

By Leave a Comment

Country music stars Lee Brice, Michael Ray and David Tolliver perform during the Yellow Roof Foundation’s “Raise the Roof” fundraiser on June 22, 2025. Photo: Yellow Roof Foundation

Lee Brice, Michael Ray, David Tolliver help bring in more than $1 million at “Raise the Roof” for Yellow Roof Foundation

By Mike Hoye

CONCORD, CA – Yellow Roof Foundation’s annual “Raise the Roof” fundraiser was once again an overwhelming success, generating more than $1 million to advance the non-profit organization’s mission to create affordable, income-based rental housing for families and individuals at risk of homelessness.

Yellow Roof Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Concord, Calif. The organization was founded by Dave and Lori Sanson, owners of DeNova Homes, also headquartered in Concord. Yellow Roof has built several communities in the greater Bay Area to provide affordable housing to those who are hardworking, contributing members of society but are experiencing hard times due to circumstances beyond their control and are at risk of becoming unhoused. As the serious housing crisis continues to grow in California, especially in the affordable housing arena, so has the population who may be on the verge of homelessness.

The sold-out “Raise the Roof” was held on June 22, 2025, at The CIA at Copia in Napa, where sponsors and special guests gathered for an evening of giving and celebration. Attendees enjoyed a beautifully prepared dinner and heartwarming presentations that showcased the life-changing impact of Yellow Roof’s work.

During the program, Yellow Roof announced its next new project in the East Bay town of Pittsburg, made possible a land donation from The Sanson Family. The land is approved for 81 multi-family units, which will make it the largest Yellow Roof community to date. In addition, local businessman and philanthropist, Steve Gonsalves, for whom two of Yellow Roof’s communities are named, shared that because 100% of donations go directly to projects and that accountability is instilled in residents are key factors as to why he believes so strongly in and is committed to Yellow Roof’s mission.

Among the evening’s other highlights was the presentation of the 2025 Champion Award to Valerie Sanders, Homeless Liaison for the Pittsburg Unified School District, in recognition of her remarkable partnership in helping to place deserving families into stable housing.

One of those families was represented on stage by resident Araceli Solis, who, joined by her three daughters, shared her powerful story of resilience following the sudden loss of her husband and how Yellow Roof’s income-based rental housing and financial education programs have restored her family’s hope.

Jasmine Strange, a recent graduate from Yellow Roof housing, also moved the audience, describing how the three years she and her family spent with the non-profit prepared them for a brighter future and helped them secure permanent affordable housing.

The concert portion of the evening featured an unforgettable singer-songwriter performance donated by Lee Brice, Michael Ray, and David Tolliver. A special moment came when Lee and Sara Brice’s two youngest children, Ryker and Trulee, took the stage, with Ryker returning for an encore to rally the crowd to bid generously on an autographed guitar signed by all the artists.

“Raise the Roof has become a beacon of hope and a testament to what is possible when compassionate people come together,” said Lori Sanson, President and Director of Yellow Roof Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, guests, artists, and volunteers whose commitment makes it possible for us to provide families with a foundation of safety, dignity, and opportunity. The funds raised this year will help us build more homes and change more lives.”

For more information about Yellow Roof Foundation, to stay updated on its communities and events, or to make a valuable donation to support its efforts, please visit YellowRoofFoundation.org.

Raise the Roof 2025 Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors: BIA Bay Area, California Retaining Walls, Cemcon, Inc., Covenant Technical Solutions, DeNova Homes, Inc., Rescue Electric, RPM, Sanco Pipelines, SDG Architects, The Conco Companies, The Garaventa & Colvis Families, The Graham Family and The Resmark Companies

Platinum Sponsors: Brookfield Residential, Calex Drywall, California Bank & Trust, cbg Civil Engineers – Surveyors – Planners, Discovery Wall Systems, DPAE Structural, Independent Construction, Legacy Risk & Insurance Services, Lew and Sara Carpenter, Miller Starr Regalia, OAG Architects, Pacific Coast Landscape Management, UBS, Waymark Development and Weber Christensen & Heinrichs, LLP

Gold Sponsors: Blazona Concrete Construction, Inc., California Building Industry Association, Gately Family Foundation, J&M, Inc., Meridian Associates, OJ Insulation, Silvermark Construction Services and vanderToolen Associates

CoCoTax June Luncheon to feature Oakland mayor recall leader

By Leave a Comment

The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CoCoTax) invites you to attend a Board and Members Meeting Luncheon at Denny’s Restaurant 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord, on Friday June 27, 2025, at 11:45 am. Please register in advance on the CoCoTax website where you can pay online, or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door: $25 for members, $30 for guests.

MEET OUR SPEAKER: SENECA SCOTT

Seneca Scott moved to Oakland in 2012 to work as the East Bay Director for SEIU Local 1021, representing and negotiating improvements to wages and working conditions for thousands of workers in East Bay cities, most notably Oakland. He also co-founded community groups Bottoms Up Community Gardens and Oakhella.

In 2020, Seneca ran for City Council to bring a voice to his neighbors that he felt was being ignored.

His Neighbors Together movement has since exploded across the city, demanding accountability from its Mayor and City Council.

He later led the successful effort to recall Mayor Sheng Thao and started the YouTube channel Gotham Oakland. He also frequently posts on X about the failures of Oakland’s progressive leadership.

Seneca has worked as a Labor leader and community organizer for over 20 years. He earned his B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Oakland’s Crisis and Its Implications for Other Cities and Counties

Despite levying high taxes, Oakland suffers from high crime, business closures, blight, and uncontrolled homeless encampments. The City has also faced repeated fiscal crises in recent years.

As Seneca will discuss, the explanations for Oakland’s problems include public corruption and the dominance of a progressive ideology which sounds noble but does a disservice to most residents.

We’ll also learn what lessons Oakland’s troubles might hold for neighboring cities, and whether we in Contra Costa County have anything to worry about

June 27, 2025  11:45 AM – 1:10 PM

Denny’s, 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord

Registration

  • Member – $25.00
  • Non-Member – $30.00

www.cocotax.org/event-6189658/Registration

Paid advertisement

Cleanup in Alamo part of nationwide effort Saturday, May 17

By 1 Comment

Volunteers of the Adopt-A-Block cleanup drive organized by DSNDP in collaboration with the Maintenance Services Department in Alameda County, CA on March 22nd, 2025. Photo: DSNDP

Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP), a global nonprofit organization, has been running various cleanliness drives and tree plantation-conservation programs across 113 cities in the USA in collaboration with the government.

DSNDP prioritizes working towards fostering a cleaner and greener environment. Since July 2022, with the nationwide cleanliness drive initiative, DSNDP has expressed deep commitment to maintaining the beauty of America by adopting 18 States and 76 cities, pledging to keep them clean and litter-free, which align with the US government’s initiative.  These ongoing nationwide cleanliness drives have engaged 3,022 dedicated DSNDP volunteers to collect 47,250 pounds of trash.

DSNDP is also actively engaged in Tree Plantation and Conservation across 15 states and 37 cities engaging 766 volunteers and resulting in a total of 23,973 trees planted to date.

On Saturday, May 17th, DSNDP is conducting a cleanliness drive with an aim to foster a balanced ecosystem in collaboration with the Contra Costa County, Public Works Department in Alamo, California.

Event Date and Time: Saturday, May 17, 2025 between 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PST.

Location: Livorna Road, Alamo

Travis Credit Union Foundation extends financial coaching grants applications

By Leave a Comment

Program will empower a Northern California nonprofit with up to $39,000 in grant funding

By Michelle Sabolich, AVP, Corporate Communications, Travis Credit Union

Travis Credit Union Foundation announces the application deadline has been extended for its 2025 Financial Coaching Grants program until March 31. This initiative is an opportunity for one Northern California nonprofit organization to access $30,000 in unrestricted funding and up to $9,000 to train its staff to become financial coaches. Those interested in applying can start here.

“Our hope is that through this grant, we can create a ripple effect of positive financial behaviors that will benefit not only the individuals directly involved but the broader community,” said Damian Alarcon, president of Travis Credit Union Foundation. “Financial stability is a cornerstone of a thriving community, and we are committed to making a lasting impact.”

Eligibility requirements are:
• Organizations benefiting people in Napa, Solano, Yolo, Contra Costa and Merced counties.
• Organizations classified as public charities.
• Organizations with the ability to reach diverse communities, including those that are unbanked/underserved.
• Organizations that do not discriminate by race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status.
• Organizations with the capacity to allocate time and resources for two staff members to become financial coaches (self-study) and provide 10 or more one-hour financial coaching sessions to beneficiaries each month.
• Organizations that are willing to promote their participation in the Financial Coaching Grant Program and acknowledge funding received from Travis Credit Union Foundation in traditional and social media.

Those who apply and are selected as coaches will undergo comprehensive, three- to five-month long, self-study training through the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and/or Financial Counseling for Empowerment Program (FICEP). Upon completing the course, coaches will be equipped to address a wide range of financial topics, from summarizing saving principles to educating community members about credit reports, credit scores and the wise use of tax refunds.

The TCU Foundation is committed to supporting nonprofits throughout the grant’s lifetime, ensuring that financial wellness outcomes are achieved. The foundation will monitor financial coaching goals, metrics and outcomes related to reduced debt, increased savings and established and/or improved credit scores. Renewal preferences are given to nonprofits with a demonstrated record of coaching more beneficiaries.

The grant application will close on March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

About Travis Credit Union Foundation
The Travis Credit Union Foundation supports financial education and wellness initiatives and is the philanthropic arm of Travis Credit Union. The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves through financial education, charitable giving, and community support. Travis Credit Union generously funds the administrative costs of the Travis Credit Union Foundation, allowing for 100% of funds raised to go back to the community. To learn more about the Travis Credit Union Foundation’s mission and how to participate in all it’s doing to build financial wellness in the communities it serves, visit tcufund.org.

The Foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Tax ID #82-4159040

 

White Pony Express launches gift card campaign to support victims of L.A. fires

By Leave a Comment

By Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations, White Pony Express

Heralded nonprofit White Pony Express (WPE) has launched a campaign to collect and distribute gift cards to the survivors of the Los Angeles fires. Gift cards will offer recipients the flexibility to address unique needs and circumstances during this challenging time. Each gift card will be accompanied by a heartfelt, hand-written message of love and support.

While many supplies are being collected and offered to those impacted by the fires, meeting specific needs—such as correct clothing size/style or food appropriate to culture and dietary requirements—can be difficult. WPE’s gift card campaign provides an adaptive, customizable solution that addresses people’s unique needs and preferences.

Says WPE CEO Eve Birge, “A gift card empowers individuals to make their own choices about what they truly need. Many people receive gift cards over the holidays they’d like to donate; others will provide practical gift cards they feel are most needed at this time. Including a heartfelt message along with the gift card is a way to share our love and solidarity.”

This is not the first time White Pony Express has aided survivors of natural disasters. In 2018, at the urging of WPE’s Founder Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, the organization sent vans full of high-quality food and clothing, along with cash donations, to help the survivors of the devastating Camp Fire. This continued for 10 months, as needs remained long after federal aid and the cameras pulled back.

Gift cards for those impacted by the Los Angeles fires can be mailed to the attention of Eve Birge or dropped off at WPE’s headquarters, 2470 Bates Ave Suite D, Concord, CA 94520. Contact WPE’s Volunteer Coordinator to learn about card-making opportunities and other volunteer projects: Volunteer@whiteponyexpress.org.

We encourage the public to spread the word about WPE’s gift card campaign to benefit those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles.

About White Pony Express (WPE): Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, WPE is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need—with love. WPE’s Food Rescue Program operates seven days a week, recovering a daily average of 12,000 pounds of high-quality, surplus, fresh food from over 80 local food outlets. This nutritious food is redistributed within 24 hours to 100+ nonprofit recipients who feed the hungry. Since its inception, WPE has rescued and delivered more than 27 million pounds of nutritious food—equal to 21 million meals—and prevented more than 39,000 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the air we breathe.

California State Parks Foundation celebrates passage of Proposition 4

By Leave a Comment

Sources: Yes on 4 campaign, CA Secretary of State

SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the California State Parks Foundation released the following statement reacting to the passage of Proposition 4 –The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The passage of Prop 4 authorizes up to $10 billion in bonds to help the state become more climate resilient. The investments in state parks will include $175 million in deferred maintenance, $50 million in sea level rise adaptation projects, and $200 million to build parks and recreational facilities in local communities.

“While there are many votes still left to count, we are optimistic that voters passed Prop 4 by a wide margin,” saidRachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We thank California voters for choosing to supply California’s state park system with desperately needed resources to make our state parks more resilient to extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfires, and other impacts driven by climate change. These funds will also update state park infrastructure, help California acquire new parklands, and create recreation opportunities in local communities.

“As California’s economic fortunes have changed the past few years, and budget surpluses became budget deficits, state parks have faced steep cuts. The passage of Prop 4 is an important step in reversing the budget reductions that cut the deepest.”

ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION

California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).

Contra Costa agencies awarded $29.7 million in grants for Head Start early childcare programs

By Leave a Comment

County, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and The Unity Council receive funding to offer affordable care for 1,634 infants, toddlers, and preschool children

By Tish Gallegos, Community & Media Relations Director, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – The Administration for Children & Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), has awarded Head Start grants to three Contra Costa agencies. The five-year awards provide $29.7 million in the first year and similar amounts in each of the subsequent four to provide early childhood education (ECE) to infants, toddlers and preschool children throughout the County.

The grant to Contra Costa County enables it to fully fund its current childcare centers, and to continue existing subcontractor partnerships with KinderCare, Aspiranet, Crossroads/Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), and Tiny Toes.  Head Start is also directly funding the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) and The Unity Council to deliver services to Contra Costa children and families.

“We will have Head Start funding for a total of 1,634 slots in Contra Costa County,” explained District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “We welcome MAOF and The Unity Council as partners that can help Contra Costa expand access to infant-toddler care and preschool, especially for our Spanish-speaking and immigrant families in parts of West, Central and East County.”

“Contra Costa County is strongly committed to supporting the health and well-being of our children and families through our high-quality child development and education programs” said John Gioia, District 1 Supervisor who chairs the Head Start Committee for the County Board of Supervisors. “We are grateful and proud that the Federal Office of Head Start recognizes our outstanding teachers, administrators, and Early Childhood Education programs by continuing to fund us over the next five years to be the largest Head Start provider in Contra Costa.”

Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for the most vulnerable young children from birth to age five, emphasizing the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. Head Start operates locally to help young children from low-income families prepare to succeed in school, promoting their development through learning, health, and family wellbeing.

In Contra Costa County, funding for the 1,634 childcare slots in Early Head Start (infants and toddlers) and Head Start Preschool (3- and 4-year-old children) is as follows:

“With over six decades of dedication to empowering under-resourced families, MAOF is proud to expand our Head Start services in Contra Costa County,” said Dr. Ciriaco Pinedo, President and CEO of MAOF.  “For 30 years, we have been committed to laying the foundation for the future of generations of families through our Head Start programs and services, and today, through this partnership with the Office of Head Start, we continue this mission with renewed energy and purpose. MAOF will offer full-day year-round services through directly operated sites and partnerships with the YMCA of East Bay, Contra Costa College, and Child Start Inc. We are committed to ensuring that every child in the communities of Antioch, Hercules, Martinez, Pittsburg, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, and San Pablo has access to the early education they deserve.  As we continue to grow and serve, we carry with us the unwavering belief in the potential of every child to succeed.”

“Celebrating 60 years of The Unity Council and 11 years in Concord, we’re excited that we are expanding our Head Start services to more communities like Richmond, Pittsburg, and Oakley,” said Chris Iglesias, Chief Executive Officer of The Unity Council. “This grant allows us to continue our mission of serving those who need it most. We are grateful to the Office of Head Start for their support as we look forward to reaching even more families across Contra Costa County.”

To Apply

Families are encouraged to apply for current Head Start and Early Head Start openings by contacting the funded agencies:

Contra Costa County – (925) 272-4727 or [https://ehsd.org,]ehsd.org

MAOF – (510) 977-8667, sguerrero@maof.org, or maof.org

The Unity Council – unitycouncil.org, (925) 798-1013, or headstart@unitycouncil.org

Contra Costa County

The Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) administers the County Head Start program. EHSD partners with the community to deliver quality services to ensure access to resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, Head Start families benefit from seamless coordination of services accessible through the full portfolio of County-operated programs including public assistance, nutrition assistance, health, housing, and child welfare. contracosta.ca.gov

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF)

Since its founding in 1963 by community leader and civil rights activist Dionicio Morales, MAOF has become one of California’s most prominent nonprofits. MAOF maintains a $250 million operating budget and serves over 125,000 under-resourced individuals annually across nine counties: Contra Costa, Monterey, Kern, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego. Using a multi-generational approach, MAOF uplifts the whole family through early childhood care and education, community development, senior, and community partnership services. maof.org

The Unity Council

The Unity Council (officially known as the Spanish Speaking Unity Council) envisions a joyful, united, and engaged community where people have the power to shape their lives. Founded in 1964 as a nonprofit community development organization committed to enriching the quality of life primarily in the Fruitvale District of Oakland, its Mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn and thrive. unitycouncil.org